Inside Athletics

Team IMPACT

Community service is a hallmark of the Carnegie Mellon student-athlete experience, and the Athletics Department developed a relationship with Team IMPACT in 2014-15 to further extend its opportunity to positively impact children. Team IMPACT aims to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by matching them with intercollegiate athletics teams. Currently, four Carnegie Mellon athletics teams have members of Team IMPACT involved with various aspects of the program.

The football team welcomed Brock Kitterman in the spring of 2014. Brock served as an honorary team captain and joined the captains for the coin toss at each game he attends.

Brock signing with the team in spring of 2014 with head coach Rich Lackner and captain Dustin Schneider

Brock during coin toss at 2014 game

Brock with 2014 captain and
2015 graduate Dustin Schneider

Prior to the 2016 season, the football team welcomed Mikey Witkowski. Mikey serves as an honorary team captain, hangs out with the team in the locker room, and joins the captains for the coin toss at each game he attends.

Mikey signing with the team along with head coach Rich Lackner

Mikey during coin toss at 2017 game

Mikey with team members at Dave & Busters

The men's soccer team welcomed Michael McCracken to the team in October 2014. Michael has attended a number of games on campus and the players have spent time with Michael away from soccer doing some of his favorite things.

The "welcome party" for Michael in October 2014

Michael with goalkeeper and FAA certified private pilot Eric Bykowsky before Eric took Michael on a ride through the skies in May 2015.

Michael's gift to the 2015 Tartan men's soccer players

The men's basketball team partnered with Team IMPACT to welcome Camden Lookabaugh in the fall of 2014.

Camden with a few players and head coach Tony Wingen in November 2014

Camden with the team in 2015

Camden's own locker to start 2015-2016

The track and field teams partnered with Team IMPACT to welcome Ekow Opoku-Dakwa in the winter of 2018.

Ekow signing his letter of intent to be a member of the track and field teams with head coach Gary Aldrich and team members